Automated valve testing apparatus
AssigneeNorgren Limited
InventorsChristopher John Wheater, David Horsfield
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method for partially stroking an emergency valve apparatus is provided. The emergency valve apparatus comprises an actuator (103) and a valve member (101). The apparatus is movable between a first position and a second position. The method comprises the step of initiating a partial stroke movement of the apparatus from the first position towards the second position. A parameter of the fluid acting on the apparatus is measured. Once the measured parameter reaches a threshold value, the partial stroke movement is reversed.
Claims34
A method for partially stroking an emergency valve apparatus comprising an actuator and a valve member, the apparatus being movable between a first position and a second position, comprising steps of:
- initiating partial stroke movement of the apparatus from the first position towards the second position;
- measuring a parameter of a fluid acting on the apparatus;
- reversing the partial stroke movement of the apparatus when the measured parameter of the fluid reaches a threshold value;
- and
- comparing the measured parameter to a mathematical model to determine an operational status of the emergency valve.
A method for partially stroking an emergency valve apparatus comprising an actuator and a valve member, the apparatus being movable between a first position and a second position, comprising steps of:
- initiating partial stroke movement of the apparatus from the first position towards the second position by adjusting an energy supplied to the apparatus;
- measuring the energy acting on the apparatus;
- reversing the partial stroke movement of the apparatus and the valve when the measured energy reaches a threshold level;
- measuring a pressure of a fluid acting on the apparatus;
- and
- comparing the measured pressure to a mathematical model to determine an operational status of the emergency valve.
A method for determining the operational status of an emergency valve apparatus, movable between a first position and second position, comprising steps of:
- measuring a pressure acting on the apparatus during a partial stroke test;
- and
- comparing the pressure acting on the apparatus during the partial stroke test to a mathematical model.
A method for partially stroking an emergency shutdown system,
- said emergency shutdown system comprising:
- an emergency valve apparatus comprising an actuator and a valve, adapted to control fluid flow in a pipeline and being movable between a first position and a second, the apparatus being biased towards the second position;
- a solenoid valve that,
- when energized, provides a fluid flow path between a pressurized fluid supply and the apparatus, thus allowing a pressurized fluid to act on the apparatus thereby moving the apparatus to the first position, and
- when de-energized, closes the fluid flow path between the pressurized fluid supply and the apparatus and opens a fluid flow path between the apparatus and a pressure release vent to release the pressurized fluid acting on the apparatus;
- and
- a pressure sensor adapted to measure a pressure acting on the apparatus;
- said method comprising steps of:
- de-energizing the solenoid valve;
- measuring the pressure acting on the apparatus as the pressurized fluid acting on the apparatus is released;
- re-energizing the solenoid valve to re-open the fluid flow path between the pressurized fluid supply and the apparatus and to close the fluid flow path between the apparatus and the vent;
- and
- comparing the measured pressure to a mathematical model.
An emergency valve, comprising:
- a valve apparatus including a pipeline valve (101) and an actuator (103), the apparatus being movable between a first position and a second position;
- a solenoid valve (105) adapted to provide a fluid flow path between a pressurized fluid supply (106) and the apparatus when energized, and adapted to provide a fluid flow path between the apparatus and a pressure release vent when de-energized;
- a sensor (111) adapted to measure a parameter of a fluid acting on the apparatus;
- a control means (107) provided to selectively provide the solenoid (105) with a solenoid electrical supply (110);
- a testing means (109) for initiating a partial stroke of the pipeline valve (101) by removing the solenoid electrical supply (110) from the solenoid valve (105), thereby de-energizing the solenoid valve (105) and re-energizing the solenoid valve (105) when the measured parameter of the fluid acting on the actuator reaches a threshold value;
- and
- wherein the testing means (109) is further configured to compare the measured fluid parameter to a mathematical model to determine an operational status of the pipeline valve (101).
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.